Any good advice or articles on adding "shore power" to trailer?
- Thread starter snowmanx
- Start date
Thumpertalk has a few really good RV project threads I got a lot of info from. I did my gooseneck last summer and really enjoyed just being able to plug into the generator at races or right to my house power. I still have 12v lights, but the fluorescent and outlets are great for all the crap I have. Here's a list of what I put in and what I usually have running. I would suggest doing some extensive research of how to wire things up or have someone there to help you out. I feel pretty comfortable that I got everything right based off of feedback from numerous sites and went all winter with no issues at all from any power source.
Shop area 25'
5 - 4' fluorescent lights from light switch(HO ballasts and power usage was .95 amps/ea IIRC)
3 - 15A 120V outlets
Living area 17'
2 - 4' fluorescent lights from light switch
Will be wiring in 2 more 15A 120V outlets, but for now just have an extension cord from the shop to the front with a 6-slot surge protector.
For shore power I got a Marinco 30A Standard Power Inlet wired with 10-3 to a 60A (2) breaker distribution panel from Lowes.
For my light/outlet runs I used 12/3 Aluminum MC cable.
1. Installed the Marinco Power Inlet
2. Installed the 60A distribution panel inside my shop area cabinet
3. Wired 10/3 supply wire from inlet to distribution panel (similar to my pic)
4. Ran 12/3 from 1st breaker to a junction box for shop area.
5. Ran 12/3 from 2nd breaker to a junction box for living area.
6. Ran 12/3 from shop junction box to a light switch and from light switch to 5 shop lights in a parallel run.
Shop area 25'
5 - 4' fluorescent lights from light switch(HO ballasts and power usage was .95 amps/ea IIRC)
3 - 15A 120V outlets
Living area 17'
2 - 4' fluorescent lights from light switch
Will be wiring in 2 more 15A 120V outlets, but for now just have an extension cord from the shop to the front with a 6-slot surge protector.
For shore power I got a Marinco 30A Standard Power Inlet wired with 10-3 to a 60A (2) breaker distribution panel from Lowes.
For my light/outlet runs I used 12/3 Aluminum MC cable.
1. Installed the Marinco Power Inlet
2. Installed the 60A distribution panel inside my shop area cabinet
3. Wired 10/3 supply wire from inlet to distribution panel (similar to my pic)
4. Ran 12/3 from 1st breaker to a junction box for shop area.
5. Ran 12/3 from 2nd breaker to a junction box for living area.
6. Ran 12/3 from shop junction box to a light switch and from light switch to 5 shop lights in a parallel run.
Last edited:
7. Ran 12/3 from shop junction box to the outlets in a parallel run
8. Ran 12/3 from living junction box to a light switch and then to the 2 fluorescents in living area.
9. Will do the same thing for the 2 living area outlets as I did for the shop outlets.
A lot of guys are doing full 12v systems using LEDs and other low power fixtures, but here is my list from a 110v point of view.
Shore power inlet
Distribution panel
10 gauge supply line
12 gauge for light/outlet runs
Your choice of fluorescent light
Light bulbs
15A 120v light switches
15A 120v outlets
Switch/Outlet boxes with covers
Junctions boxes/covers if needed
Metal clamp fittings to secure wire going into boxes
Metal 'straps' if you are running your wiring outside the walls (I used them to keep the wire from sagging between lights. Then I cut strips of plastic bed liner and zip tied it over the wire to give it the trimmed out look.)
Wire caps, electrical tape, and whatever else you need depending on how you set everything up.
From my generator (5500W Max) I am usually running all 7 lights, stereo, 1350W space heater while at the races. I can still use a drill or air compressor, etc... if needed without issue with my setup. Hope this helps and good luck. Definitely not the fanciest setup, but it works great for me.
Also went in while I had some panels off and wired in a bunch more clearance lights on each side so I can see this pig in the dark. I have lights above the middle axle too that weren't done yet in the pic.
8. Ran 12/3 from living junction box to a light switch and then to the 2 fluorescents in living area.
9. Will do the same thing for the 2 living area outlets as I did for the shop outlets.
A lot of guys are doing full 12v systems using LEDs and other low power fixtures, but here is my list from a 110v point of view.
Shore power inlet
Distribution panel
10 gauge supply line
12 gauge for light/outlet runs
Your choice of fluorescent light
Light bulbs
15A 120v light switches
15A 120v outlets
Switch/Outlet boxes with covers
Junctions boxes/covers if needed
Metal clamp fittings to secure wire going into boxes
Metal 'straps' if you are running your wiring outside the walls (I used them to keep the wire from sagging between lights. Then I cut strips of plastic bed liner and zip tied it over the wire to give it the trimmed out look.)
Wire caps, electrical tape, and whatever else you need depending on how you set everything up.
From my generator (5500W Max) I am usually running all 7 lights, stereo, 1350W space heater while at the races. I can still use a drill or air compressor, etc... if needed without issue with my setup. Hope this helps and good luck. Definitely not the fanciest setup, but it works great for me.
Also went in while I had some panels off and wired in a bunch more clearance lights on each side so I can see this pig in the dark. I have lights above the middle axle too that weren't done yet in the pic.
Last edited:
Use GOOD shore power outlets and cords. I used the Marinco stuff and it turned out great! I ordered it all from PrideMarine.com
Make sure you have an external outlet or two and cord reels are a great help for organization. I permanently mounted one inside my trailer so I've always got a cord. This year I'll be adding some external lights so I can light up the pits!
Make sure you have an external outlet or two and cord reels are a great help for organization. I permanently mounted one inside my trailer so I've always got a cord. This year I'll be adding some external lights so I can light up the pits!
Good point there. My shore power cord is not a Marinco, but something similar with the thread-on plug housing for the shore power inlet and the 3-prong male at the other end. 30A HD cord I went with 25' to reach the back end of the trailer. Helps keep the genny noise as far back as possible from the living quarters. I just use a 30A-15A adapter when I'm plugged into the house.
I do the same thing, although I have two 50 foot Marinco's for when I'm at the racetrack as you never know how far away power might be! I don't have a genset yet, but will soon. I got tired of my loud Yamaha and will buy something quieter.